PSNI criticised over investigation into death of republican found dead on shores of Lough Neagh

Gerard 'Shorty' Hampson.

Published:09:57Updated:10:47Tuesday 26 January 2016

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The PSNI has come in for withering criticism from the Police Ombudsman which has uncovered a catalogue of serious failings in its investigation into the disappearance and suspicious death of a former republican prisoner.

Michael Gerard ‘Shorty’ Hampson, 53, from Northland Road in Londonderry, was reported missing in December 2007. His naked body was found on the shores of Lough Neagh, near Toomebridge, just over a month later.

Although a post mortem was inconclusive, the pathologist concluded that there “must be considerable suspicions surrounding the death”.

Mr. Hampson’s family have always suspected foul play.

Dr Michael Maguire, the Police Ombudsman, working on a complaint from Mr. Hampson’s family, has found that police made little effort to find him while he was missing and failed to pursue all investigative opportunities after his body had been recovered.

Dr Maguire - who said the PSNI investigation “lacked focus, direction and attention to detail” - added that it was clear the probe had suffered because police assumed that Mr. Hampson was not at risk.

Instead, they believed that he was purposely avoiding them after learning that he was wanted for questioning over an incident in the Republic of Ireland the previous April.

Dr Maguire, whose report into the matter is published today, said: “There is no doubt Mr. Hampson’s family have been failed by the police in this case. This is why I have recommended that the PSNI should apologise to them.”

It’s understood disciplinary sanctions were recommended against 10 officers. Eight officers have since been disciplined, only two of whom received sanctions at the level recommended by the Police Ombudsman.

The PSNI downgraded the sanctions imposed on six officers and decided not to impose sanctions on another two officers.

Mr Hampson’s family says the Ombudsman’s report is a vindication of the concerns they have raised since their father’s death.

“We now know that there was a litany of failures and missed evidential opportunities,” said the family. “Had the PSNI done its job at the time, we might now know what happened to him. We don’t and this is very painful for us as a family to live with.”